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What Makes a Racist?

Posted on August 20, 2019

Blog by Sr. Barbara Kane, OP, Justice Promoter

I just spent the weekend learning and reflecting about racism. It’s a complicated issue especially for those of us who are white and don’t think we are. It’s very difficult to know what’s in another’s heart but as we do know that actions speak louder than words.

Case in point. There is a lot of discussion about whether the president is racist. People on Facebook are asking it, the news media is commenting on it and several Democratic lawmakers are stating it. Again, we don’t know what’s in his heart but let’s look at some actions:

Children as young as four months have been separated from their parents.

Hardworking, tax paying immigrants have been arrested and deported.

Families fleeing from violence and climate disasters are refused entry because of their religion.

Parents and children are detained in cages in 60 degree rooms.

Whole countries, cities, and ethnicities are labeled as criminals, terrorists, or filthy.

All of the above are happening to people of color.

Very few can say that we do not have some racist tendencies in us. We must work hard to identify them and keep them from resulting in actions that hurt others.

St. Paul wrote “Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) Calling people names takes up time and energy that would be better spent doing good. Let’s use our energy to protest these evil and racist actions by letting our representatives know that we do not agree with what is going on and that we will not reelect those who are complicit in these actions. Catholics are taught to love the sinner and hate the sin. Let us pray for the president and those who are advising him and at the same time continue to condemn those actions that hurt our brothers and sisters.

I truly have a very difficult time in praying for this particular president. I try but every day one sees what is happening in our country with immigrants, climate change, human beings are being hurt by gun violence and who supports the NRA?. He needs a conversation of heart, period! Thanks for your reflection Barbara. I will attempt to do my best in opposing his remarks!

I agree Sister Barbara. I have struggled with Trump’s policies and twitter comments. I have prayed that he be impeached. Finally, I decided that the best thing I could do was to pray for Trump to experience a change of heart. Thanks for reminding me that this is a good thing to do.